How to Break into Your Career in Cybersecurity: Focus on Identity Access Management, Privileged Access Management, and Identity Access Governance
Introduction
As Business operations have moved into the digital realm, the threats faced by organisations and consumers have evolved too, leading to the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals to continue to grow year after year. Breaking into a career in cybersecurity offers the chance to protect organisations and civilians alike from digital threats and ensure the security of sensitive information. Among the various areas within cybersecurity, Identity Access Management (IAM), Privileged Access Management (PAM), and Identity Access Governance (IAG) are core pillar stones that play a pivotal role in safeguarding organisational assets.
This blog post aims to give crucial advice and guidance on breaking into your career in Cyber Security, focusing on those core Niche areas of IAM, IAG and PAM.
Background and Context
· The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity, and in turn IAM, PAM & IAG
As alluded to in the introduction, Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, driven by the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Organisations across all industries are investing heavily in cybersecurity to protect their data, systems, and customers. This has created a wealth of opportunities for professionals looking to enter the field. However, the diversity of roles and specialisations within cybersecurity can make it challenging to know where to start, and which vertical you would like to go for!
As Organisations grow larger, and more diverse in terms of their Geographical diversity, with much of the workforce now working remotely in some format at least a day or two a week. With the revolving door that is the corporate world continuing to operate, as employees come and go, new contractors join the business, complete projects, and move on. There is an increasing need to focus on Identity Security, after all, each Identity holds a separate set of accesses and rights, so it is important there is tight governance around this to ensure that Threat Actors have fewer options when looking to gain entry into an organisation's infrastructure. Identities are one of the largest threats to an organisation's sensitive data, and Governance around this is a big key to maintaining security. This Is why it is essential that new Talent, continue to choose Cyber Security, and maybe in particular IAM, IAG and PAM as their potential Career route.
Problem Statement or Core Concept
· The Challenge of Breaking into Cybersecurity
Establishing your foothold into the professional world of cybersecurity is a daunting task, to say the least, Job Specifications wishing for a range of Enterprise technologies you could only dream of getting your hands dirty with, complex Interview Processes asking you to jump through unnecessary hoops. These are a couple of the obstacles that are part of the Course you must navigate to break into the industry.
Solution or Explanation
· Steps to Break into a Cybersecurity Career
To successfully break into a career in cybersecurity, especially in IAM, PAM, and IAG, consider the following steps:
· Gain a Strong Educational Foundation
A solid educational background is ideal, but not essential for building a career in cybersecurity. While a degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity is beneficial, there are also other pathways to gain the necessary knowledge. Ultimately, moving forward you will want to work towards exposing yourself to Technologies, Certifications and courses that are within your desired Niche, for IAM, IAG and PAM for example, you would look to engage in certifications and courses from CyberArk and SailPoint for PAM and IAG. This will be massively advantageous when any prospective employer views your application.
Recommendations:
· Formal Education: Pursue a degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field. Many universities offer specialised cybersecurity programs that cover IAM, PAM, and IAG.
· Certifications: Obtain cybersecurity certifications that are recognised in the industry. For IAM, PAM, and IAG, intro courses with Industry recognised vendors like SailPoint, CyberArk or Okta. Certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) are valuable.
· Online Courses: Enrol in online courses and bootcamps that focus on cybersecurity fundamentals, IAM, PAM, and IAG. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses that can help you build the necessary skills.
· Build Hands-On Experience: Try building out your own lab environment and installing different pieces of software, or trying to develop your own tools, platforms like GitHub offer a wonderful way to be able to highlight your work and skills. Work Experience, or Industry Placements are great ways to get hands on experience in a bit more of a commercial capacity and will be another chance to network and build fruitful relationships.
· Staying Informed: Following the latest news, podcasts, and insights to stay up to date with the latest in Cyber Security, or your desired Niche!
Practical experience is crucial in cybersecurity. Employers value candidates who have demonstrated their skills in real-world scenarios.
Networking and Professional Development
Building a network of contacts in the cybersecurity field will prove essential in your bid to break into the Cyber Security domains, and this comes in many forms, you want to make it about What you know, and Who you know.
Recommendations:
· Join Professional Associations: Become a member of cybersecurity organisations like ISACA, (ISC)², or ISSA. These associations offer resources, networking opportunities, and access to industry events.
· Attend Conferences and Workshops: Participate in cybersecurity conferences, webinars, and workshops to learn from experts and stay updated on industry trends.
· Engage in Online Communities: Join online forums and communities focused on cybersecurity and identity management, such as Reddit’s cybersecurity subreddit, LinkedIn groups, or specialised Slack channels.
· Utilising your LinkedIn – This is essential for anyone looking to get their foot in the door of any industry, especially Technology, LinkedIn is a fantastic way to show off your latest Certifications and projects on GitHub and build connections with Industry vets, or Recruiters who may put you in touch with your dream first role!
· Personalised Job Applications – Get to know who and where you are applying to, ultimately reaching out to individuals that work at the desired organisation, sending personalised applications, will give you a good gauge for life at the company, and also it will put you in really high regards that you are going above and beyond throughout the Interview process.
Homing in those Soft Skills
Soft skills are as desirable for potential employers, so it is critical that these are swords we are constantly sharpening and highlighting ‘Good people hire Good people.’
· ‘We’ and ‘I’ - In your CV it is important to highlight times you have worked in a team, and clearly highlight these engagements, your responsibilities, and successes.
· Where Else can you highlight soft skills in your LinkedIn profile or CV? Working under pressure, Leadership qualities. The CV is a wonderful place to indirectly show off these skills to potential employers
· Job Applications – A large problem of a lot of Job Adverts, is they are incredibly vast, and statistics show that a lot of applicants are put off applying due to the breadth of requirements. When applying for roles, you can show off your confidence and attitude to succeed by including an accompanying Cover letter and personalising each application.
· The Interview, is the most blatant time to highlight your soft skills!
Interview Tips
Now you are exploring Interviews, it is critical to remember that the Interview process is a two-way street, yes, it is about the Potential employers finding your suitability for the role, but equally so it is about you finding out if the organisation is the right place to begin your career in Cyber! The following aim to help your Interview skills,
· Come prepared - Researching the Company, Role, and Interviewers – An essential step, is to come in prepared having a solid understanding of the Company, the people interviewing you and a base level of knowledge for the role, preparing questions to ask based upon your findings come the end of the interview, always ensuring these are open-ended questions. Have a copy of your CV Infront of you if it is a remote interview, this can be used to easily refer to when answering questions.
· Appropriate Attire – Standard tip, but always dress appropriately for the Interview, if you are unsure of whether you are going too suited and booted, check out the employees of the company on LinkedIn, get a feel for their employee photos, how are they dressed?
· Look to paint pictures – A substantial proportion of talent, struggles when it comes to writing a story when it comes to answering questions, with many people unable to expand and elaborate when given the chance during interviews. Interviewees are looking for you to walk them through the journey when they ask questions, take them on one!
· Show Confidence – Maintain Eye contact, and use ‘I’ when answering questions as opposed to ‘We’. Talk about your role, and successes on projects, rather than the teams, clearly separate the two, and lead with your role. Try and stay on track and be specific when answering questions delivering with intention, you can help this by preparing specific use cases and examples of different skills on your CV.
· Follow-Up – Aftercare is crucial in the Interview process, ensuring that if you are keen on moving forward, ask the Interviewers about the next steps, what they look like, and how soon you can expect to hear back. Then after the interview send an E-mail to the Interviewers thanking them for their time, great touches to ensure a great impression is made.
Case Study: A Successful Career Transition into Cybersecurity
Jane Doe, a recent graduate with a background in computer science, decided to pursue a career in cybersecurity with a focus on IAM. She started by obtaining her CISSP certification and taking online courses on identity management. She secured an internship at a financial institution where she gained hands-on experience with IAM tools like Okta and SailPoint. Jane also joined cybersecurity associations and attended industry conferences to build her network. After her internship, she was offered a full-time position as an IAM analyst, where she continues to grow her expertise and pursue advanced certifications in the field.
Conclusion
Breaking into a career in cybersecurity, particularly in specialised areas like Identity Access Management, Privileged Access Management, and Identity Access Governance, is both challenging and rewarding. By building a strong educational foundation, gaining hands-on experience, specialising strategically, and continuously learning, you can position yourself for success in this dynamic field. Cybersecurity offers numerous opportunities for growth, and with the right approach, you can carve out a fulfilling career that makes a meaningful impact on organisational security.
Additional Resources
· References:
· NIST Cybersecurity Framework
· SANS Institute: Cybersecurity Training and Certifications
Author Bio
Thomas Childs is a recruitment professional with expertise in Identity. With a passion for helping others break into the field, Thomas provides guidance and mentorship to aspiring cybersecurity professionals, focusing on IAM, PAM, and IAG.